Switch mechanism.



3 SHEETS--SHEET 1.

Patented Jan. 15, 1918.

' VG. sTILEs. SWITCH ME-CHANISM T n I APPLICATION FILED OCT. 9,19I5.

mm mw,

1. G. smfs. SWITCH NIECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 0G19, 1915.

Patented 1311.151918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 21 Inwevzor:

095551" n eey.

T. G. STILES.

` SWITCH'MECHANISM.

APPLxcmoN msn ocT. 9, 1915.

Patented Jan. 15, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

i, Pod orlicciit nl, viii-icing otilici *Ecutgui'csfofgoiisiiuc- UNITED' STATES PATENT OFFICE..

THOMAS GEORGE smiles, 0F ARLTNGTQN, NEW JERSEY.

sWlTcI-I MEGHANISM'.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 15.1918.

To all 'ic/7mm` t may concern:

llo ii known that l', Tiiomis {coizoii Siiiiiis, zi. cii'iizcn of tilic United Stutci, `iiiiil i'cs'idcnt of A rlington, in Tl'ic county of Hudlon :ind Stato of New Joi'scy, liuio invontcd ccituiii ncw and usi-Ful llinprovcincnts in Switch Dilcclmniiim, of which tlic following is ii. spiiciliczitioii.

".lliio iiiitc'ntion. ijclullcs to io'ipioi'ei'riciits in switzizli-iiioclizmim and pui'ticulzu'ly to' tlic front-rod und the locking devices associated tlici'c iii tpli.

(luc oli" tlic principal objects of the inin -is tzo pi'ovidc u swii'cliv-mciluinism having :i i"io riti:od so constructcizl as to lic mail; if ailiiifitablc to sfr co die poinls ol" the siii'itclii-izuils :il: tlio .desu-cil. distiiiico u'jiurt; and lo liui'fo this Spacing.; uliuifigod wlmi rei'iuiced us illu-.i .i'csiilt of wcui, ctc. Such o iioiiiwod may lic rondt; in iicftiiins ii'itli einggiigii'ig, trunfii'cisc ocimtioi'isi ut .their adjuccii ends. lily niciini; of wl'iicli .fimii'urtioi'ii thc scctioiis will lui ii'i'ci'ciitcil fioni liuvingg Volu- .tivc movciricnl, lciigtliiiisio ol" tlic liront-Vodii-'licn lich?. in plzicc liy uuiiililc scouring du vim. An in ipoi'ioiit l'cutiirc of this frontiod in that .it is i'ilxso. preferably Voblongin cifosfacction..so tliut ii'licn itfiiiiiijoi niis 'is verticallyy disposed Siiioi'ilc fustning -dcvicos, suoli bolts, nniy bc pou-sed through openings in llie Tod, wlllioii'L- Hulistzii'ilitilly iiefziliiciiing :fuif-li iod, and connections iiiiidc to viti-ioni? (lcviccii intended to operato or to lio oi'icmtcd by i'jlio sfu/itch.`

noti si 'iiiii'foitiint objecii of tlio inveniion if; lo g'fiovidc on nipioved plunger lock loi llic lock-roll conm-"toil to the fiont-i.'od, tliiis i'f liunism comp` Sing: a. loclvmd also iccttii'ignlii und flut. in cross-section. and' iiilulitcd to copciutc with :1.r pliingor movulile tiaiisivci'ficly Llieicto which plunger .is :filfio preferably icctmigiilai und flat; 'in ci'oSsemotion; tl'ic. point.. ol iutcrscct'ion of tlio .loi'l-iod und its locking plunge-1. being, as is iioiniL'protracted loy suiitzilil casing which in this.; instance lios; an .inrfcction opening making cliruniiiiutifgin oil tlic lool; convenientY ut. all tiii'ics.

Aooftlii to lilac; .i ticoouii i -fi'onlwrod to lin lock.

. llig. S is :in und claimt-ion of the sume, looking.y troni tlii right in Fig. "Z,

elci'i'iiig' lii'st. to lfiggf.. l.. B flcignutc :i lniir of ito -l -iuils und. Ll-it :i pair of point-rails.y of u swi'tcli, lic stocl .i'u'ilis licing siiiipoitml on siii'tzil'ilc tics 5, mi otherwiHii. und liiuc'cd. 'in :1 manner that, is `iif'o'll .understood by rziildii'nics of `flic typo indiiutiiil :it (i, oi' of any otlici suitzililc izyhpc.

'l`lic points ot t'lu` cii'tcli-iziils ui'oI con iivctcil :is i'isniil iny unions of :i Front-rod, liuti` rliofiont'rod slioivii dillci'is in iui'ioiis ii'uys from tlic front-Tod iisuulli' ciiiplo'i'od. 'Flic front-rod, illiisii'ulcd is iii'cfiiulily u incinlici' iccunguliii in crow-suction. zw.. loi' eX- ziiuplo., witl. i'lic major axis vertically dis-- posed. Unc olijcc'l' of 'this to iiii'niit Suid lioi'ml lo iiiciiii'o Suitnlilc ilcviccs for connci'l'ing to 'thc fioiii-i'od u pzilft o1' ports to oiici'utc oi' to lio opciinoil by lli@ switch. This l'i'ont--iod is :ilno prof ci'nlily mudo in auctions; in oiflc'i tzluit. it;

'may bc zicljiistulilc in longi'lli.' lloro tlicie live udj'uslnuint; loiiglliiviso of t'liiiliti'int substantially :i right :in Lflo` to tl'ic rod .iii-ogen` to providi moons ol' connection ivitli` lic pointS tlivf'col. lt `will liii'smrii llisit liy` u'iuliingitli@ frontlifod oblong in crocs cation :i

ing surfaces of adjacent rod sections. The' permitting relalss 4front-rod is made in sections, as

-two parts of the such as indicated at 1'1and 12, these bent' ends of my improved front-rod may be securely fastened to the switch-rails. Suitable washers are shown on th` inner sides of the ends of this front-rod at 45 and 46 in Fig. 3.

It will be obvious'that a front-rod con structed as just described will he quite still vertically in the direction in which stiffness is required in such a device. When the shown in the drawings, this stitfness is vretained by providing suitable connections at the meetpreferred connection is one tive adjustment of the sections lengthwise of the rod the construction 4shown being one in which theadjaeent vertical surfaceswof the inner ends of the rod-sections are ser rated so that 'the sei-rations may engage 4in different posi-tions lengthwise `ofthe rod and maintain any desired adjustment when held together by means of suitable clamping devices. Here the section 7 has vertical serrations or teeth 7 and the section 8 has corresponding serrations or, teeth 8 all disposed vertically and formed in the relatively fiat sidesof the rodvsections. The oblong crosssection before referred to also provides forthe use of relatively long serrations adapted tohold the two sections of the front-rod positively in alinement when locked together. Suitable bolts and nuts are shown at 13 and 14 for this purpose. The

vbolts 13 pass through suitable openings in the red-sections which openings in order to permit relative adjustment of said sections lengthwise of the front-rod are some of them elongated, as shown at 15. Any desired change in adjustment. may be obtained that is within the limits of this slot 15.l

My improved front-rod is also preferably an insulated rod, as before stated. In the present case the main section 8 is made up of two parts connected by an insulating joint. Here this insulating joint is formed by the flat plate portion 16 of a lug 17 and a corresponding plate 1 8 coperative with the [iat portion 16 of the lug and held" adjacentends of the rodsection 8 by suitable to it and also to the bolts, 19, and nuts, 20, securing in place between themalso insulation, such as shown at z' (Fig. 3).

disposed between a strong connection mechanically is formed between the two parts of the rod-section 8 and at the same time they are electrically insulated from each other and from the lug 17 itself, which is intended to constitute a coupling for connecting` tothe front-rod a suitable operating or operated member, in this case a lock-rod` such as 22.

Part 17 is one of a plurality of couplings mit proper, relative,

Suitable washers are alsothe nuts 20 and plate 18, as shown at 21. By means of these elements which' may employed for connecting the front-rod todierent operatin ated elements, and the lug 17 1s also ilustrated as so constructed as to constitute a' and yo erable from the front-md, Said lug bein indif cated at 23. This lug is also prefera y se-v cured to the front-rod in substantially the no interposed insulation between the vlug andthe front-rod. The securing devices are shown as bolts and nuts 24 and 25, with i interposed washers 26. Each of the lugs 17 and 23 is illustrated as bored in such'a manner that the axis of the bore extends sub. stantially in the same general direction as the front-rod, but is parallel with Said frontrod, and each of said bores tapers, the taper being preferably' a doubleone and extending from the opposite ends of the bore to the` same manner as lug 17, except'that there isf center thereof, as clearly illustrated in Fig.

3, at 27 and 2 8. Two of said bores are shown in the lug 23 for the purpose of making universal connection when desired with two different rods. Lug 17 isintended for connection to the lockrod extending 'to the plunger lockA and lug 23 is intended for connection with a bolt lock. At 29 is also shown a simple connection for' a 'rod 30 extending to a switch-box. All of the connections `justdescribed are intended to permitadjustment of the different rods lengthwise thereof. each of ,them being shown as having suitable adjusting and check nuts. of the rods passing through one of the tapered bores 27 or 28 is of course also cylinl dr-ical and unthreaded at its point of contact and-28, invorde'r to peruniversal movement. Another important feature of the invention is the improved plunger lock before mentioned.A The lock-rod itself,.indicated at 22, extends to thelocking point substantially flat or oblong in cross-section for the major portion of its length tively long locking notches, 3 1, the lengthof which may be varied by a bar, 32, the position of which may be determined' at one end by a bolt and nut, 33 and 34, and at the other end by suitable adjusting and `check nuts, designated generwith said surfaces 27 ally by 35. The manner-.in which this ad-A justment is obtained will be clear by-reference to Figs. 1 and 2.` Into thenotches 31 so formed isv adaptedto pass a plunger mounted on a suitable base 36` substantially in the well known manner, this base being in turn supported on a plate 37 secured to In addition, each and has relasuit'able'adjusting theties 5.` A; eover-38 is bolted down on thlis hase inthe usual manner `as shown .in

Figs. 1, 2, 7 and 8 and forms with said base i ascasing on whieh'the lock-rod and its locking plunger are movable in directions trans `verse .to each other, Provision is made in the construction illustrated for permitting some lateral rocking movement of the lock rod,- the kbase casting having a suitably tapered opening in which the 'lock-rod works. The plunger of this plungerdoCk differs however from those heretofore employed 4and is rectangular or preferably oblong in cross-section, so as to form a flat Iloclgring,plunger which will not turn in its suliiporting easing and will present a wide course he locked in place if .lesired. When j. theF GowerV is vthrown hack `it will -be easy to see at a glance just what the condition of .the `lock is at the locking 'point and any .undue .wea-r that has take-n place may be of the. parts made.

In substantially the same manner wear at the sr.itchpoint and at the connections ot' the various rods with the corresponding lugs attached thereto may also he read-ily taken up at any time. i

.lt if; desirable to utilize the plunger lock as a means for cont rolling an electric circuit and hring.: 'ahont the energization and de energif/,ation of the salue arrordingf as the loclerod oi 'the -switch-ineehanisni is locked or. unlocked hy the plunger. ln order to instantly detected and suitahle adjustment acconn'ilish this result l have illustrated anA insulatedcontact` 42, at a suitable point on the plunger 72 anda. cooperative fixed co-ntact, 43, on thohase casting. The contact 42 will be in engagement with the contact 4f. and a suitable circuit ll'iercthrough (not shown) will he closed when the loclerod is locked by saidV plunger. and the contact 42 will be shiftedfout oi engagement with .the Contact 43 to--open said circuit when the j'ilunger is withdrawnfrom ils lorlenotrh in the lockrod.`

What l claim is:

1. In a switclmnecllanism. the combination with a pair ol switr-:h-rails. ol a lirontrod cfmiiect-inp,r the same and comprising a pair of sections substantially oblong in crosssection with the major axis vertical, said rod sections being adjustable'"longitudinally of each other anti haring at their adjacent ends coinjileinentary engaging serrationsextending completely aerossone of` the wider sides thereof, amilineansfor holding the ser ated portions ofsaid rod-sections in any ad justed position. V

.2. In a switch-mechanism, the combination with a pair of switch-rails, of a front rod,l said front-rod comprising a` pair of .sections adjustable longitudinally 'ot each other and havinguat their adjacent ends complementary engaging transverse serraticns, and having at the remote ends integral portions extending in angular relation the-reto and Connected to the inner sides of the rails, and ineansfor holding the serrated portions of said rodsections inV any adjusted position.V

3. In a switch-mechanism, the combination with a pair of switch-rails, of a front- I'Ud connecting the saine and comprising a pair of sections adjustable longitudinally of each other and haring at their adjacent ends complexnentary engaging serrations, means for holding thev serrated `pmtions of Said rodsections in any `arljusted position, anda coupling secured to and extending in angular relation to said front-rod and connecte to another rod to be ope ated.

Ll. ln a su'itclmneclianism, the combination with a pair of switch-rails, of .a lirontv4 rod conneetingthe san-ie and coniprisingfa.

pair of sections adjustable longitudinally of each other and-harinalV at their adjacent ends e:)inpleinen-tarav engaging"serrat1ons, means for holdinva the serrated )ortion-s of said rod- 2" sections in: any adjusted position, land a` plurality of couplings seem-wl to'said front# rod at different points in the length ofthe latter and eonnected respectively to a piu rality of rods to he operated. l

ln a siritclrinechanism, the c0nibination with a pair of switch-rails, of a trontrod connectingthe saine and comprisingr a pair o'l sections adjustal-ile longitudinalljr of each other and ha ring; at their adjacent ends complenirutary engaging sei-rations, means for holding the serrated portions of saidrod sections in any adjusted' position, and a couplilflgir seenredto said .trontiolh a` rod to lio operz-lted.y and a universal connection he tween said coup-lingl and the rod t0 be oper? ated. p

G. Tn a swilcli-xnech-anism.' the. combina- 'tion with a pair of switeharailfs, of a frontrod connecting the sameA and 11mm-arising a pair oli' sections adjustable longitudinally of each other and having at lhri'r leent ends l complementaryf engaging serra ns, means for holding the serrated portions of said rod-- sections in any adjusted position, and a plurality of couplings secured to said 'front1 rod at different points .in the length of the latter, a plurality ofr rods to. beeperated which rods run in different directions, and a plurality of universal connections between said respective couplings and the respective. rods to be operated.

7. In a switch-mechanism, the combination with a pair of switch-rails, of a frontrod connecting the same and comprising a pair of sections, a combined insulating coupling including means for connecting the sections together and a universal joint, and Va rod to be operated connected to said front rod byI said universal-joint.

8. In a switch-mechanism, the combination with a pair of switch-rails, of a rontrod connecting the same, a coupling member secured to said front-rod and having a bpre substantially parallel with said front-rod and tapering toward one of its ends, a sccond rod mounted in said bore and having a portion eoperating with said bore to form a universal joint, and means for holding said second rod in place in said coupling.

9. In a switch-mechanism, the combination with a pair of switch-rails, of a frontrod connecting the same, a coupling member secured to said front-rod and having a bore substantially parallel with said front-rod and tapering in two directions toward its center, a second rod mounted in said bore and having a portion cooperating with said bore to form a universal joint, and means forholding said second rod in place in said coupling.

10. In a switch-mechanism, the combination with a-pair of switch-rails, of a frontrod connecting the same, and switch-locking means comprising a lock-rod, a connection between said front-rod and lock-rod, a locking plunger movable transversely to and cooperative Wth said lock-rod at the locking point, and a casing covering the locking point and having an inspection opening at such point.

1-1. In a switch-mechanismP the combination with a pair of switclrrails, of a frontrod connecting the same, and switch-locking means comprising a lock-rod, a. connection between said front-rod and lock-rod, a locking plunger movable transversely to and cooperative with said loclcrod at the locking point, and a casing covering the locking point and having an inspection opening at such point with a hinged door for covering and uncovering said opening.

12. In a switch-mechanism, the combination with a base having intersecting longitudinal and transverse passages and'one of which has tapered Walls to permit sidewise movement of the lock-rod, of a plunger movable in said base in one direction, and a loekrod movable in said base in a direction transverse to the plunger and also having cross wise movement.

13. In av railway switch lock device, the combination with the switch tongues, and a lock bar in operative connection therewith, of a lock device composed of two parts se cured together and through which said lock bar passes, and a plunger bar movable through said lock device transverselyof said THOMAS Geenen 's'rILns itnessesz C. S. CHAMPION, M. B. MCNlcoL.

l lock bar and in operative connection there 

